“Education is the medium by which people are prepared for the creation of their own particular civilization, advancement, and glory of their race … And a race without authority and power is a race without respect.” — Marcus Garvey. 

He was right.

In a wide ranging telephone interview with Tom Troy, a reporter for the Toledo Blade in February, I was asked if blacks were better off as a people under segregation. “As a race, “ I said, “we were better off economically, educationally and socially. We had our own teachers, who lived among us, in our neighborhoods, and who attended our churches. We knew them and they knew us and our parents. We had a relationship, not because of segregation, but separation.”

Pre-integration crime rates in our communities were lower. Although our schools were not perfect, our children learned more, and there was more discipline when we had our own code of ethics, supported by our own Parent-Teacher Associations. Policemen (resource officers) were never seen at our schools. They were not needed. Our parents provided all the discipline that was needed.

I am against racial segregation. It is the imposition of the will of a stronger race on the will of a weaker one. That is wrong. Separation, on the other hand, is the free choice of one group to separate from the other for the good of the group. It does not deny the rights and privileges of any other group.

Chinatown is controlled by the Chinese. They live there. They run it. They have their own schools, stores, and churches, and see Jesus through the slanted eyes of their own culture. They have what whites have, only smaller. Many blacks, and I am one of them, think that separation is far better than either integration (assimilation) or segregation.

The white and black churches are separated but not segregated. Whites are not denied admission to black churches, and neither are blacks denied admission to white churches. However, blacks who attend white churches don’t run them. And the few whites who attend black churches don’t run them. There are obvious cultural differences that are quickly recognized and respected by both churches.

When blacks get ready to leave the service, go to the restroom, or just leave, they will usually stand, raise their right index finger, bow and slowly walk out. Whites, on the other hand, just get up and leave any assembly, at anytime. Blacks who attend white churches find themselves raising their right index finger, bowing and slowly walking out. Whites, whether they attend a white church or a black church, just get up and leave.

The Chinese are not integrated, and don’t ask for it. They have their own “Chinatown.” The Vietnamese are not integrated, and they don’t ask for it. They have their own “little Hanoi.” Cubans are not integrated and don’t ask for it.They have their own “Little Havana.” These groups build their own communities, have their own stores, restaurants and churches. They see Jesus through the yes of their own cultures. They have their own economy, select their own politicians, elect them and then collect from them.

Floyd Rose

Senior Servant

Serenity Church